Novel 12-hydroxydehydroabietylamine derivatives act as potent and selective butyrylcholinesterase inhibitors

The skeleton of the diterpene dehydroabietylamine was modified, and a set of 12-hydroxy-dehydroabietylamine derivatives was obtained. The compounds were screened in colorimetric Ellman’s assays to determine their ability to act as inhibitors for the enzymes acetylcholinesterase (AChE, from electric eel) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE, from equine serum). Additional investigations concerning the enzyme kinetics were performed and showed 12-hydroxy-N-(4-nitro-benzoyl)dehydroabietylamine (13) and 12-hydroxy-N-(isonicotinoyl)dehydroabietylamine (17) as selective BChE inhibitors holding good inhibition constants K_i = 0.72 ± 0.06 μM and K_i = 0.86 ± 0.19 μM, respectively.     

Discovery,molecular dynamic simulation and biological evaluation of structurally diverse cholinesterase inhibitors with new scaffold through shape-based pharmacophore virtual screening

Designing small molecule inhibitors targeting cholinesterases (ChEs) is considered as an efficient strategy for the treatment of Alzheimer′s disease (AD). In the present study, based on a shaped-based pharmacophore (SBP) model that we reported previously, virtual screening was performed on four commercial compound databases, from which eight small molecules containing new structurally scaffolds were retained and evaluated. In general, six of these potential hits were identified to be selective ChEs inhibitors. Three compounds exhibited IC₅₀ values and K_i values in micromolar range on acetylcholinesterase (AChE), the most active compound 4 showed IC₅₀ value of 6.31 ± 2.68 μM and K_i value of 4.76 μM. Other three compounds displayed IC₅₀ values and K_i values in micromolar range on butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) with high target selectivity, the most active compound 1 showed IC₅₀ value of 3.87 ± 2.48 μM and K_i value of 1.52 μM. Multiple biological evaluations were performed to determine their cytotoxicity, cyto-protective effects, antioxidant effect as well as druglike properties. These compounds provide new cores for the further design and optimization, with the aim to discover new ChEs inhibitors for the treatment of AD.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of berberine–thiophenyl hybrids as multi-functional agents: Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase,butyrylcholinesterase, and Aβ aggregation and antioxidant activity

A series of berberine–thiophenyl hybrids were designed, synthesised, and evaluated as inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) and β-amyloid (Aβ) aggregation and as antioxidants. Among these hybrids, compounds 4f and 4i, berberine linked with o-methylthiophenyl and o-chlorothiophenyl by a 2-carbon spacer, were observed to be potent inhibitors of AChE, with IC₅₀ values of 0.077 and 0.042 μM, respectively. Of the tested compounds, 4i was also the most potent inhibitor of BuChE, with an IC₅₀ value of 0.662 μM. Kinetic studies and molecular modelling simulations of the AChE-inhibitor complex indicated that a mixed-competitive binding mode existed for these berberine derivatives. The biological studies also demonstrated that these hybrids displayed interesting activities, including Aβ aggregation inhibition and antioxidant properties.     

Novel pyridazinone derivatives as butyrylcholinesterase inhibitors

In the current study, forty-four new [3-(2/3/4-methoxyphenyl)-6-oxopyridazin-1(6H)-yl]methyl carbamate derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their ability to inhibit electric eel acetylcholinesterase (EeAChE) and equine butyrylcholinesterase (eqBuChE) enzymes. According to the inhibitory activity results, [3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-6-oxopyridazin-1(6H)-yl]methyl heptylcarbamate (16c, eqBuChE, IC₅₀ = 12.8 μM; EeAChE, no inhibition at 100 μM) was the most potent eqBuChE inhibitor among the synthesized compounds and was found to be a moderate inhibitor compared to donepezil (eqBuChE, IC₅₀ = 3.25 μM; EeAChE, IC₅₀ = 0.11 μM). Kinetic and molecular docking studies indicated that compounds 16c and 14c (hexylcarbamate derivative, eqBuChE, IC₅₀ = 35 μM; EeAChE, no inhibition at 100 μM) were mixed-type inhibitors which accommodated within the catalytic active site (CAS) and peripheral anionic site (PAS) of hBuChE through stable hydrogen bonding and π-π stacking. Furthermore, it was determined that [3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-6-oxopyridazin-1(6H)-yl]methyl (4-methylphenyl)carbamate 7c (eqBuChE, IC₅₀ = 34.5 μM; EeAChE, 38.9% inhibition at 100 μM) was the most active derivative against EeAChE and a competitive inhibitor binding to the CAS of hBuChE. As a result, 6-(2-methoxyphenyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one scaffold is important for the inhibitory activity and compounds 7c, 14c and 16c might be considered as promising lead candidates for the design and development of selective BuChE inhibitors for Alzheimer’s disease treatment.     

Substituted cinnamic anhydrides act as selective inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase

Cinnamic anhydrides have been shown to be more than reactive reagents, but they also act as inhibitors of the enzyme acetylcholinesterease (AChE). Thus, out of a set of 33 synthesised derivatives, several of them were mixed type inhibitors for AChE (from electric eel). Thus, (E)-3-(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)acrylic anhydride (2c) showed K_i = 8.30 ± 0.94 µM and K_i′ = 9.54 ± 0.38 µM, and for (E)-3-(3-chlorophenyl)acrylic anhydride (2u) K_i = 8.23 ± 0.93 µM and K_i′ = 13.07 ± 0.46 µM were measured. While being not cytotoxic to many human cell lines, these compounds showed an unprecedented and noteworthy inhibitory effect for AChE but not for butyrylcholinesterase (BChE).     

Hyperbolic mixed-type inhibition of acetylcholinesterase by tetracyclic thienopyrimidines

A series of tetracyclic thienopyrimidines (7–14) was prepared and investigated as inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase from Electrophorus electricus acetylcholinesterase (EeAChE), as well as human acetylcholinesterase (hAChE) and human butyrylcholinesterase (hBChE). A new synthetic procedure was employed for the synthesis of the angularly fused heterocycles 7–10. Among them, the presence of a tetrahydropyrido ring with a benzyl rest at the basic nitrogen was required for EeAChE inhibition. A detailed kinetic analysis of the hyperbolic mixed-type inhibition of EeAChE by 9–14 was performed. These heterocyclic compounds inhibited EeAChE with K_i values of less than 3 µM. Most α values were relatively close to 1, indicating a similar affinity of the inhibitor to the free enzyme and the enzyme-substrate complex. Inhibitor 10 displayed a rather uncompetitive pattern of inhibition (α?=?0.47) and a relatively high residual activity of a postulated ternary enzyme-substrate-inhibitor complex (β?=?0.24).     

1,2,4-Trisubstituted imidazolinones with dual carbonic anhydrase and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitory activity

Various 1,2,4 trisubstituted imidazolin-5-one derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their inhibitory activity against p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) and carbonic anhydrase (CA) enzymes aiming to explore potential dual inhibitors. Results revealed that compounds 3c, 3g, 3h, 4a, 6c and 6d were the most effective derivatives against p38αMAPK (IC₅₀ = 0.14, 0.14, 0.056, 0.14, 0.13 and 0.14 μM, respectively) compared to sorafenib (IC₅₀ = 1.58 μM) as standard drug. On the other hand, compound 4a revealed the best inhibitory activity against all the tested carbonic anhydrase isoforms CA I, II, IV and IX with K_i values of 95.0, 0.83, 6.90 and 12.4 nM, respectively compared to acetazolamide with K_i values 250, 12.1, 74 and 12.8 nM, respectively. Therefore, compound 4a can be considered as a potent dual p38αMAPK/CA inhibitor.     

Tannic acid as a natural antioxidant compound: Discovery of a potent metabolic enzyme inhibitor for a new therapeutic approach in diabetes and Alzheimer's disease

Multiple studies have been recorded on the synthesis and design of multi‐aim anti‐Alzheimer molecules. Using dual butyrylcholinesterase/acetylcholinesterase inhibitor molecules has attracted more interest in the therapy for Alzheimer's disease. In this study, a tannic acid compound showed excellent inhibitory effects against acetylcholine esterase (AChE), α‐glycosidase, α‐amylase, and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE). IC₅₀ values of tannic acid obtained 11.9 nM against α‐glycosidase and 3.3 nM against α‐amylase, respectively. In contrast, K_i values were found of 50.96 ± 2.18 µM against AChE and 53.17 ± 4.47 µM against BChE. α‐Glycosidase inhibitor compounds can be utilized as a novel group of antidiabetic drugs. By competitively decreasing glycosidase activity, these inhibitor molecules help to hamper the fast breakdown of sugar molecules and thereby control the blood sugar level.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel tris-chalcones as potent carbonic anhydrase,acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase and α-glycosidase inhibitors

A novel class of fluoro-substituted tris-chalcones derivatives (5a-5i) was synthesized from phloroglucinol and corresponding benzaldehydes. A three step synthesis method was followed for the production of these tris-chalcone compounds. The structures of the newly synthesized compounds (5a-5i) were confirmed on the basis of IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and elemental analysis. The compounds’ inhibitory activities were tested against human carbonic anhydrase I and II isoenzymes (hCA I and hCA II), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), and α-glycosidase (α-Gly). These chalcone derivatives had K_i values in the range of 19.58–78.73 nM for hCA I, 12.23–41.70 nM for hCA II, 1.09–6.84 nM for AChE, 8.30–32.30 nM for BChE and 0.93 ± 0.20–18.53 ± 5.06 nM against α-glycosidase. These results strongly support the promising nature of the tris-chalcone scaffold as selective carbonic anhydrase, acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, and α-glycosidase inhibitor. Overall, due to these derivatives’ inhibitory potential on the tested enzymes, they are promising drug candidates for the treatment of diseases like glaucoma, leukemia, epilepsy; Alzheimer’s disease; type-2 diabetes mellitus that are associated with high enzymatic activity of carbonic anhydrase, acetylcholine esterase, butyrylcholinesterase, and α-glycosidase.     

Design,Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Novel Indanone Derivatives as Cholinesterase Inhibitors for Potential Use in Alzheimer's Disease

Indanone derivatives containing meta/para-substituted aminopropoxy benzyl/benzylidene moieties were designed based on the structures of donepezil and ebselen analogs as the cholinesterase inhibitors. The designed compounds were synthesized and their acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibitory activities were measured. Inhibitory potencies (IC₅₀ values) for the synthesized compounds ranged from 0.12 to 11.92 μM and 0.04 to 24.36 μM against AChE and BChE, respectively. Compound 5 c showed the highest AChE inhibitory potency with IC₅₀ value of 0.12 μM, whereas the highest BChE inhibition was achieved by structure 7 b (IC₅₀=0.04 μM). Structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis revealed that there is no significant difference between meta and para-substituted derivatives in AChE and BChE inhibition. However, the most potent AChE inhibitor 5 c belongs to meta-substituted compounds, while the most active BChE inhibitor is para-substituted derivative 7 b . The order of enzyme inhibition potency based on the substituted amine group is dimethyl amine>piperidine>morpholine. Compounds containing C=C linkage are more potent AChE inhibitors than the corresponding saturated structures. Molecular docking studies indicated that 5 c interacts with AChE in a very similar way to that observed experimentally for donepezil. The introduced indanone-aminopropoxy benzylidenes could be used in drug-discovery against Alzheimer's disease.     

Evaluation of α-hydroxycinnamic acids as pyruvate carboxylase inhibitors

Through a structure-based drug design project (SBDD), potent small molecule inhibitors of pyruvate carboxylase (PC) have been discovered. A series of α-keto acids (7) and α-hydroxycinnamic acids (8) were prepared and evaluated for inhibition of PC in two assays. The two most potent inhibitors were 3,3′-(1,4-phenylene)bis[2-hydroxy-2-propenoic acid] (8u) and 2-hydroxy-3-(quinoline-2-yl)propenoic acid (8v) with IC₅₀ values of 3.0 ± 1.0 μM and 4.3 ± 1.5 μM respectively. Compound 8v is a competitive inhibitor with respect to pyruvate (K_i = 0.74 μM) and a mixed-type inhibitor with respect to ATP, indicating that it targets the unique carboxyltransferase (CT) domain of PC. Furthermore, compound 8v does not significantly inhibit human carbonic anhydrase II, matrix metalloproteinase-2, malate dehydrogenase or lactate dehydrogenase.     

Modulation of Anopheles gambiae Epsilon glutathione transferase activity by plant natural products in vitro

Elevated glutathione transferase (GST) E2 activity is associated with DDT resistance in the mosquito Anopheles gambiae. The search for chemomodulators that inhibit the function of AgGSTE2 would enhance the insecticidal activity of DDT. Therefore, we examined the interaction of novel natural plant products with heterologously expressed An. gambiae GSTE 2 in vitro. Five of the ten compounds, epiphyllocoumarin (Tral-1), knipholone anthrone, isofuranonaphthoquinones (Mr 13/2, Mr13/4) and the polyprenylated benzophenone (GG1) were shown to be potent inhibitors of AgGSTE2 with IC₅₀ values of 1.5 μM, 3.5 μM, 4 μM, 4.3 μM and 4.8 μM respectively. Non-competitive inhibition was obtained for Tral 1 and GG1 with regards to GSH (K_i of 0.24 μM and 0.14 μM respectively). Competitive inhibition for Tral1 was obtained with CDNB (K_i = 0.4 μM) whilst GG1 produced mixed type of inhibition. The K_i and K_i' for GSH for Tral-1 and GG1 were 0.2 μM and 0.1 μM respectively. These results suggest that the novel natural plant products, particularly Tral-1, represent potent AgGSTE2 in vitro inhibitors.     

New natural cholinesterase inhibiting and calcium channel blocking quinoline alkaloids

During this study, one new coumarin; 7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one (1) and three quinoline alkaloids; 3-hydroxy, 2, 2, 6-trimethyl–3, 4, 5, 6-tetrahydro-2H-pyrano[3,2-c] quinoline 5-one (2), ribalinine (3) and methyl isoplatydesmine (4) were isolated from the aerial parts of Skimmia laureola and their structures established by spectroscopic studies. Compounds 2-4 were found to be linear mixed type inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase (K_i = 110.0, 30.0 and 30.0 μM, respectively). Compounds 2 and 3 were also found to be linear mixed type inhibitors of butyrylcholinesterase, while compound 4 was a noncompetitive inhibitor of the enzyme (K_i = 90.0, 70.0 and 19.0 μM, respectively). The inhibition of acetyl- and butyryl-cholinesterase enzymes persists as the most promising therapeutic strategy for activating the impaired cholinergic functions in Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.

Compound 4 also showed dose-dependent spasmolytic activity in the isolated rabbit jejunum intestinal preparation by relaxing the spontaneous (EC₅₀ = 0.1 mg/mL) and K⁺-induced contractions (EC₅₀ = 0.4 mg/mL), suggesting that the spasmolytic effect of compound 4 is mediated through the blockade of voltage-dependent Ca^{2 +} channels.     

Design,synthesis and bioevaluation of tricyclic fused ring system as dual binding site acetylcholinesterase inhibitors

Due to recently discovered non-classical acetylcholinesterase (AChE) function, dual binding-site AChE inhibitors have acquired a paramount attention of drug designing researchers. The unique structural arrangements of AChE peripheral anionic site (PAS) and catalytic site (CAS) joined by a narrow gorge, prompted us to design the inhibitors that can interact with dual binding sites of AChE. Eighteen homo- and heterodimers of desloratadine and carbazole (already available tricyclic building blocks) were synthesized and tested for their inhibition potential against electric eel acetylcholinesterase (eeAChE) and equine serum butyrylcholinesterase (eqBChE). We identified a six-carbon tether heterodimer of desloratadine and indanedione based tricyclic dihydropyrimidine (4c) as potent and selective inhibitor of eeAChE with IC₅₀ value of 0.09 ± 0.003 μM and 1.04 ± 0.08 μM (for eqBChE) with selectivity index of 11.1. Binding pose analysis of potent inhibitors suggest that tricyclic ring is well accommodated into the AChE active site through hydrophobic interactions with Trp84 and Trp279. The indanone ring of most active heterodimer 4b is stabilized into the bottom of the gorge and forms hydrogen bonding interactions with the important catalytic triad residue Ser200.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of new pyrazolone Schiff bases as monoamine oxidase and cholinesterase inhibitors

In the current work, Schiff base derivatives of antipyrine were synthesized. The chemical characterization of the compounds was confirmed using IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and mass spectroscopies. The inhibitory potency of synthesized compounds was investigated towards acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE), and monoamine oxidases A and B (MAO-A and MAO-B) enzymes. Some of the compounds displayed significant inhibitory activity against AChE and MAO-B enzymes, respectively. According to AChE enzyme inhibition assay, compounds 3e and 3g were found as the most potent derivatives with IC₅₀ values of 0.285 µM and 0.057 µM, respectively. Also, compounds 3a (IC₅₀ = 0.114 µM), 3h (IC₅₀ = 0.049 µM), and 3i (IC₅₀ = 0.054 µM) were the most active derivatives against MAO-B enzyme activity. So as to understand inhibition type, enzyme kinetics studies were carried out. Furthermore, molecular docking studies were performed to define and evaluate the interaction mechanism between compounds 3g and 3h and related enzymes. ADME (Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion) and BBB (Blood, Brain, Barier) permeability predictions were applied to estimate pharmacokinetic profiles of synthesized compounds.     

Synthesis,molecular docking analysis and carbonic anhydrase I-II inhibitory evaluation of new sulfonamide derivatives

New sulfonamide-hydrazone derivatives (3a-3n) were synthesized to evaluate their inhibitory effects on purified human carbonic anhydrase (hCA) I and II. The inhibition profiles of the synthesized compounds on hCA I-II isoenzyme were investigated by comparing their IC₅₀ and K_i values. Acetazolamide (5-acetamido-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-sulfonamide, AZA) has also been used as a standard inhibitor. The compound 3e demonstrated the best hCA I inhibitory effect with a K_i value of 0.1676 ± 0.017 µM. Besides, the compound 3m showed the best hCA II inhibitory effect with a K_i value of 0.2880 ± 0.080 µM. Cytotoxicity of the compounds 3e and 3m toward NIH/3T3 mouse embryonic fibroblast cell line was observed and the compounds were found to be non-cytotoxic. Molecular docking studies were performed to investigate the interaction types between active compounds and hCA enzymes. Pharmacokinetic profiles of compounds were assessed by theoretical ADME predictions. As a result of this study a novel and potent class of CA inhibitors were identified with a good activity potential.     

Molecular insights into human monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibition by 1,4-naphthoquinone: evidences for menadione (vitamin K3) acting as a competitive and reversible inhibitor of MAO

Monoamine oxidase (MAO) catalyzes the oxidative deamination of biogenic and exogenous amines and its inhibitors have therapeutic value for several conditions including affective disorders, stroke, neurodegenerative diseases and aging. The discovery of 2,3,6-trimethyl-1,4-naphthoquinone (TMN) as a nonselective and reversible inhibitor of MAO, has suggested 1,4-naphthoquinone (1,4-NQ) as a potential scaffold for designing new MAO inhibitors. Combining molecular modeling tools and biochemical assays we evaluate the kinetic and molecular details of the inhibition of human MAO by 1,4-NQ, comparing it with TMN and menadione. Menadione (2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone) is a multitarget drug that acts as a precursor of vitamin K and an inducer of mitochondrial permeability transition. Herein we show that MAO-B was inhibited competitively by 1,4-NQ (K_i = 1.4 μM) whereas MAO-A was inhibited by non-competitive mechanism (K_i = 7.7 μM). Contrasting with TMN and 1,4-NQ, menadione exhibited a 60-fold selectivity for MAO-B (K_i = 0.4 μM) in comparison with MAO-A (K_i = 26 μM), which makes it as selective as rasagiline. Fluorescence and molecular modeling data indicated that these inhibitors interact with the flavin moiety at the active site of the enzyme. Additionally, docking studies suggest the phenyl side groups of Tyr407 and Tyr444 (for MAO-A) or Tyr398 and Tyr435 (for MAO-B) play an important role in the interaction of the enzyme with 1,4-NQ scaffold through forces of dispersion as verified for menadione, TMN and 1,4-NQ. Taken together, our findings reveal the molecular details of MAO inhibition by 1,4-NQ scaffold and show for the first time that menadione acts as a competitive and reversible inhibitor of human MAO.     

Vinyl functionalized 5,6-dimethylbenzimidazolium salts: Synthesis and biological activities

A series of vinyl functionalized 5,6-dimethylbenzimidazolium salts are synthesized. All compounds were fully characterized by elemental analyses, MS, ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, and IR spectroscopy techniques. Enzyme inhibition is a very active area of research in drug design and development. In this study, the synthesized novel benzimidazolium salts were evaluated toward the human erythrocyte carbonic anhydrase I (hCA I), and II (hCA II) isoenzymes, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) enzymes. They demonstrated highly potent inhibition ability against hCA I with K_i values of 484.8 ± 62.6–1389.7 ± 243.2 nM, hCA II with K_i values of 298.9 ± 55.7–926.1 ± 330.0 nM, α-glycosidase with K_i values of 170.3 ± 27–760.1 ± 269 μM, AChE with K_i values of 27.1 ± 3–77.6 ± 1.7 nM, and BChE with K_i values of 21.0 ± 5–61.3 ± 15 nM. As a result, novel vinyl functionalized 5,6-dimethylbenzimidazolium salts (1a–g) exhibited effective inhibition profiles toward studied metabolic enzymes. Therefore, we believe that these results may contribute to the development of new drugs particularly to treat some global disorders including glaucoma, Alzheimer's disease, and diabetes.     

Synthesis and exploration of 2-morpholino-4-phenylthiazol-5-yl acrylamide derivatives for their effects against carbonic anhydrase I,II, IX and XII isoforms as a non-sulfonamide class of inhibitors

Novel series of 2-morpholino-4-phenylthiazol-5-yl acrylamide derivatives (8a–s) have been synthesized and explored as a non-sulfonamide class of carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) inhibitors. The newly synthesized molecules were evaluated for their CA inhibitory potency against four isoforms: the cytosolic isozyme hCA I, II as well as trans-membrane tumor associated isoform hCA IX and hCA XII taking acetazolamide (AAZ) as standard drug. The results revealed that most of the compounds showed good activity against hCA II, IX, and XII whereas none of them were active against hCA I (K_i >100 μM). It is observed that the physiologically most important cytosolic isoform hCA II was inhibited by these molecules in the range of K_i 9.3–77.7 μM. It is also found the both the transmembrane isoforms hCA IX and XII were also inhibited with K_is ranging between 54.7–96.7 μM and 4.6–8.8 μM, respectively. The binding modes of the active compounds within the catalytic pockets of hCA II, IX and XII were evaluated by docking studies. This new non-sulfonamide class of selective inhibitors of hCA II, IX and XII over the hCA I isoform may be used for further understanding the physiological roles of some of these isoforms in various pathologies.     

Investigation of potent inhibitors of cholinesterase based on thiourea and pyrazoline derivatives: Synthesis,inhibition assay and molecular modeling studies

Owing to the desperate need of new drugs development to treat Alzheimer's ailment the synthesis of 1-aroyl-3-(5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1,2,4-triazole-3-thioneaminylthioureas (2–6) starting from (4-amino-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-4H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiol) (1) and synthesis of 1-(3-(4-aminophenyl)-5-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-2-(4-isobutylphenyl)propan-1-one (7–9) starting from 2-(4-isobutylphenyl)propanehydrazide (a) with the cyclization with substituted chalcones (c-e) was carried out. To check the biological potential of the synthesized compounds, all were subjected to acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibition assays. The most potent and selective inhibitor for the acetylcholinesterase was compound 7 having an inhibitory concentration of 123 ± 51 nM, whereas, compound 6 was found as selective inhibitor of butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) with an IC₅₀ value of 201 ± 80 nM. However, the compounds 1 and 2 were found as dual inhibitors i.e. active against both acetylcholinesterase as well as butyrylcholinesterase.